NEBOSH International General Certificate Syllabus

Managers, supervisors and employees globally take the recognised NEBOSH International General Certificate course which offers the skills and understanding of how to fulfil the health and safety responsibilities required of their roles in any country and any organisation.

The NEBOSH IGC is also suitable for those embarking on a career in health and safety, offering a solid platform on which to progress to the NEBOSH International Diploma course. No prior health and safety knowledge is needed.

Overall learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify hazards in a range of workplace environments and recommend suitable corrective and preventative measurements. 
• Understand the role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and legal duties of both employers and employees.
• Assist in the planning, implementation and regular review of a health and safety policy.
• Influence behavior to create a positive health and safety culture and the compliance of health and safety policies.
• Undertake risk assessments and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Investigate accidents and prepare reports recommending suitable corrective and preventative actions.
• Undertake a Health and Safety audit. 

Full course syllabus 

IGC1: Management of Health and Safety

Element 1: Foundations in Health and Safety

• 1.1 The Scope and Nature of Occupational Health and Safety
• 1.2 Moral, Social and Economic Drivers for Health and Safety Management
• 1.3 The Role of National Governments and International Bodies in Formulating a Framework for the Regulation of Health and Safety 

Element 2: Plan

• 2.1 Key Elements of a Health and Safety Management System
• 2.2 Purpose and Importance of Setting Policy for Health and Safety
• 2.3 Key Features and Appropriate Content of an Effective Health and Safety Policy

Element 3: Do

• 3.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Employers, Directors and Managers 
• 3.2 Health and Safety Culture 
• 3.3 Human Factors that Influence Behaviour at Work
• 3.4 Improving Health and Safety Behaviour
• 3.5 Principles and Practice of Risk Assessment 
• 3.6 General Principles of Control
• 3.7 Safe Systems of Work (SSW)
• 3.8 Permits-To-Work (PTW)
• 3.9 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 3.10 Safety Signs and Signals
• 3.11 Emergency Procedures and Arrangements
• 3.12 First Aid in the Workplace

Element 4: Check

• 4.1 Active and Reactive Monitoring
• 4.2 Investigating incidents
• 4.3 Recording and Reporting Incidents

Element 5: Act

• 5.1 Health and Safety Auditing
• 5.2 Reviewing of Health and Safety Performance 

GC2: Controlling Workplace Hazards 

Element 1: Workplace Hazards and Risk Control

• 1.1 Health, Welfare and Work Environment Requirements
• 1.2 Violence at Work
• 1.3 Substance Misuse 
• 1.4 Safe Movement of People 
• 1.5 Working at a Height
• 1.6 Excavations

Element 2: Transport Hazards and Risk Control

• 2.1 Safe Movement of Vehicles 
• 2.2 Driving at Work

Element 3: Musculoskeletal Hazards and Risk Control

• 3.1 Work-related Upper Limb Disorders
• 3.2 Display Screen Equipment
• 3.3 Manual Handling 
• 3.4 Manually Operated Load Handling Equipment
• 3.5 Mechanically Operated Load Handling Equipment

Element 4: Work Equipment Hazards and Risk Control

• 4.1 General Requirements For Work Equipment
• 4.2 Hand Tools
• 4.3 Machinery Hazards
• 4.4 Control Measures for Machinery Hazard
• 4.5 Specified Equipment

Element 5: Electrical Safety

• 5.1 Use of Electricity at Work 
• 5.2 Control measures 

Element 6: Fire Safety

• 6.1 Fire Initiation, Classification and Spread
• 6.2 Fire Risk Assessment
• 6.3 Fire Prevention and Prevention of Fire Spread
• 6.4 Fire Alarm and Fire-Fighting Equipment
• 6.5 Evacuation of a Workplace

Element 7: Chemical and Biological Health Hazards and Risk Control

• 7.1 Forms of, Classification of, and Health Risks from Hazardous Substances
• 7.2 Assessment of Health Risks
• 7.3 Occupation Exposure Limits
• 7.4 Control Measures
• 7.5 Specific Agents
• 7.6 Safe Handling and Storage of Waste

Element 8: Physical and Psychological Health Hazards and Risk Control

• 8.1 Noise
• 8.2 Vibration
• 8.3 Radiation
• 8.4 Stress

Unit GC3: Health and safety practical application

Health and safety practical application

• Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of the unit IGC1 and GC2 syllabus, by successful completion of a health and safety inspection of a workplace
• Complete a report to management regarding the inspection with recommendations

Unit assessments

All units are mandatory and there are no optional units.

Units IGC1 and GC2 are taught units assessed by one 2-hour written examination per unit, consisting of ten ‘short-answer’ questions and one ‘long-answer’ question. All questions are compulsory and are marked by external examiners appointed by NEBOSH.

GC3 is assessed by a two-hour practical examination carried out in the candidate's workplace.  The assessment must normally be taken within 14 days of a written examination and is internally assessed by Astutis and externally moderated by NEBOSH.

NEBOSH International Certificate Course: futher information

Choosing to study for your qualification with Astutis means you can undertake the NEBOSH International Certificate course in either of the following ways:

• Online, at a time and place to suit you with our popular online learning course
• At your place of work, for multiple staff members

For further details on the IGC course itself, as well as the learning options outlined above, click on the button below:

Find out more about the NEBOSH International Certificate Course